Richard’s reply was swift. “I would be honored.”
Darcy nodded, dumbfounded at how quickly the tide had turned.
Alex hopped at his side. “We can have a double weddin’!”
Darcy would be lying if he said the thought had not occurred to him. But Elizabeth’s eyes were windows into her soul, and the conflict he so plainly saw was answer enough for him.
After their long conversations over the past few days, he knew she was not as indifferent as she had once claimed to be. Perhaps she even loved him.
But it was too soon for declarations, and Darcy would not damage the progress he had made inching his way to her heart by losing his patience now. “While I have family here to witness what shall surely be the most joyous day of my life, Elizabeth’s family still thinks she is in danger.”
She smiled at him, biting her bottom lip and nodding. He had guessed correctly. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Darcy had felt his chest fill with pride on numerous occasions before, but those were nothing compared to the pride he felt that moment. He understood her, and she appreciated his understanding.
Uncle Matlock’s commanding tone cut through Darcy’s reverie. “Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner are on their way. The gig is waiting for us to return, and it would be a kindness to be at the inn when the gentlemen arrive. We should leave immediately.”
Several sighs were heard, some from the crew. Where Darcy had once considered jumping overboard and swimming to shore days before, he was now stunned to feelhesitation.
Uncle continued, “Under the circumstances, I think it would be best if Miss Bennet accompanied us to shore, where I shall secure a room and a maid to attend to her.”
Darcy felt Elizabeth lean closer, and he tucked her hand in his arm. They both knew what needed to be done. Uncle was right. When Darcy looked up from her, his eyes met with Nick’s. His brother’s gaze darted between him and Alex, his brow furrowing at the choice he must make. The family he had chosen or the family he had only just found.
It was too soon to part ways. Darcy had a brother! A brother he wanted to know. There were so many questions he wished to ask Nick—twenty-eight years of catching up to do. “Will you consider staying with us for a while? Your family shall want to meet you … and your wife.”
Alex looked up at Nick with a smile. “The men’ll be happy for some shore leave. They can sell the spices and see to the fresh water and food supply.”
“But the press gangs—”
“They’ll be careful and carry their letters. Won’t ye?” she asked around, and received several eager nods and affirmations.
“But if ye’re found out—”
She interrupted, “I’ll use me new name. Nobody knows Alexandra Blackburne, and few have seen me likeness on this side of the Atlantic. So long as nobody calls me Lafitte, I’ll be safe enough.”
Richard, who had been quietly observing the proceedings, added, “We are near Devonshire. We might find some clues to what happened to separate you at birth.” Looking between Nick and Darcy, he asked, “Would you not like to resolve that mystery?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
Uncle lifted his chin, his deep voice resonant, “Then it is decided. We stay together until we are satisfied justice has been served.” He placed one hand on Nick’s shoulder. “While you are a grown adult in command of your own life, as my nephew and one in need of the protection of my name, I would like to speak with this young lady before I extend my protection to her and give my blessing on your union.”
Leave it to Uncle Matlock to take over command. Alex had sense enough to look nervous. For a second. Before her features twisted into a rebellious expression. She squirmed away from Nick and Uncle, crossing her arms over herself defensively … or, maybe it was defiantly. Jutting her chin toward Elizabeth, Alex asked, “What about her? Don’t ye need to inspect her, too?”
Uncle turned to Elizabeth with a chuckle and took her free hand gently in his own. “I have not had the privilege of formally meeting Miss Bennet until this moment, but I have met her father as well as her aunt and uncle. They are upstanding people I shall be happy to call friends … and perhaps something more in the future. Besides that, I have heard of little else but her from my nephew and his sister over the past months.” He cast a wry look at Darcy that made him blush. He kissed her hand—the old rascal—and turned back to Alex. “You, however, I have read about in the newspapers and broadsides. They sing songs about you in the lowest taverns.”
Alexandra scowled. “Invented stories, the lot of ‘em. Mostly. Well … some of ‘em.”
A shout from the watch overhead broke the stillness of the night. Men shuffled over the deck, all looking up to see where the danger came from.
Boom!Then a whistle, a high-pitched shriek getting louder.
Darcy wrapped his arms around Elizabeth, shouting, “Uncle, Rich, get back!” Cradling Elizabeth, he ran away from the noise.
“Man yer stations!” Alex shouted, already moving. “It’s an attack!”
Darcy felt the crash, the jolt shaking the timbers under their feet, the deafening blast of cannon fire.
CHAPTER 27
